bladder problems

[Kathy Williams]

My middle aged mother has taken an in interest in my neweatin habbits. She has a condittion of her own that has been with her her whole life. She has an over active bladder. When she gets nervous or irritatd it seems to aggrevate teh problem. I told her mayb restricting her fluid intake would help relieve soem of ehr frequent trips to the rest room. She eats a fairly healthy vegetarian diet so I am not sure what the exact nature ofhte problem is accept maybe psychological. What causes a weak or over active bladder? How would she go about fixing it naturally?

[Roy Collins]

Hi Kathy. There can be a number of reasons for this including possible damage to kidneys and/or spinal cord injury, but more than likely, as you stated it could be simply from the consumption of too much liquid which expands size of bladder and prohibits full release of urine. An non-intrusive and simple ultrasound test will reveal the size and amount of liquid being retained in the bladder as well as any obstructions.

The drinking of too much liquid may also be an indicator of too much salt in the diet. If diuretics are used (coffee, tea, etc.) the bladder is also involuntarily contracting to expell excess liquid. Sometimes involuntary contacting of bladder makes sensation to pee more. This is usually becuse nervous system is expanded and sensitive (from excess yin in diet -- sugars, OTC drugs, alcohols, and over-all too much liquid intake).

For now she should look at salt intake as well as sugar and liquid intake and see if she can reduce all three. Maybe your mother can give us more information on her dietary intake of salt, sugar, and type of beverages she is using to help pin-point or eliminate some of the causes. Does she have any form of skin problems that may also be related or an indicator of something related to kidneys?

I have also seen cases of overactive bladder (excessive urination) due to a small bladder and its holding capacity. If one drinks too much liquid a small bladder has to work over time. The over production and elimination of liquid quite frequently causes kidney damage and loss of minerals and makes kidneys weak.

Thanks for your question.

In peace, Roy

[Kathy Williams]

She has never been a coffee drinker but does eat sweets once or twice a week usually in excess. She consumes very little liquid now in an efffort to control it. My guess would be that she has a week or small bladder. She cooks most of her food and does not use a lot of salt in cooking. I think she may consume a lot of watery vegetables and fruit though. I have seen her eat lots of squash and citrus lately. She does have a tendency to over eat at times as well I think she feels that this is oky because teh foods she over eats are healthy i.e fruits and vegetables. She does like to spice and seaason her food well too since she does not use alot of salt.
Every now and then she complains of a stiff lower back and has even made a few trips to the chiro in the past.
I am still learning about the physical symptoms of a person as far as what determinning the condittion of their interna system but I do know she has occassional blisters and caluses on hr little toe and complains of occassiol tightness on the inner heel. Both places I remeber reqading are linked to bladder condittions. I will have to go back and read about the kidneys and bladder to be sure. Thanks for the advice and inquiry I will see what else I can find.